FIFA Unveils Expanded Match Schedule For FIFA Series 2026™

FIFA has officially released the match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026™, confirming the fixtures for the expanded international friendly tournament.

The competition is set to take place during the March and April 2026 international match window.

This announcement represents a significant step in the development of the FIFA Series™, an initiative approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022. It forms a key part of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game.

The programme’s core aim is to foster the growth of men’s and women’s national teams by arranging competitive matches between countries from different confederations that seldom play against each other.

Following a successful pilot in 2024, the 2026 tournament will feature 48 national teams, encompassing both men’s and women’s sides.

This represents nearly a quarter of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations. The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations across various regions, with Rwanda staging two of these groups.

Nine groups will comprise men’s national teams, while three groups will feature women’s national teams. All six FIFA confederations will be represented, highlighting the global scope of the initiative.

FIFA stated that the Series aims to unite teams with diverse competitive backgrounds, from established international teams to emerging football nations.

The competition is structured to offer valuable international exposure while simultaneously improving the technical, tactical, and administrative capabilities of participating federations.